Honorable Mention | Terra Incognita

Project Statement: Terra incognita, or “unknown land”, is a term used in cartography for regions that have not been mapped or documented. The phrase is now also used metaphorically to describe any unexplored subject or field of research. Terra Incognita seeks to re-envision the role of the riverfront in Toledo by exploring a synergistic relationship between dredging and public space. Grounded in innovative dredge research and exploration, we envision an unchartered working waterfront that bolsters the regional economy, increases public waterfront access, and provides a framework for ecological habitat.A proposed dredge research facility located on Penn 7 and Riverside site explores and monitors the beneficial applications of dredge from CDF #3 as well as new material from continual dredge operations. The site invites community members, contractors, and other interested parties to the facility and integrates public space into the post-industrial fabric of the Toledo waterfront by providing room for recreational activities, educational opportunities, and event space.
Overall site design is derived from a modular and flexible framework that can respond to social, economic, and environmental conditions. Processes occurring within the modular units collectively improve water quality, increase biodiversity, and perform ecosystem services such as water filtration, sediment catchment, erosion control, and carbon sequestration. Stationary units include: upland phytoremediation, composting, biofuel production, agriculture, and recreation while the floating units include lowland phytoremediation, aquaculture, recreation, and emergent habitat production. Once floating units have been established they can be relocated to the Cedar Point Wildlife Refuge where they build upon existing ecological habitats and enrich local biodiversity.
The multifaceted approach of Terra Incognita allows the design and realization to respond to prevailing demands within the city while also addressing the perpetual accumulation of sedimentation in the Maumee River.